Skip to main content

Bonds

Our Bonds option invests in a portfolio of Australian and international fixed income assets such as government and corporate bonds. The option is passively managed, meaning it will closely match the benchmark, and its international investments are usually fully hedged so are protected against the impact of currency fluctuations.
Happy family relaxing on couch with their dog
May be suitable if you:
  • want to invest in bonds at low cost
  • seek relatively stable but modest returns
  • can accept some fluctuations in returns, including the possibility of negative returns, over the short to medium term
  • are prepared to stay invested in the option for 5 years or longer.
Available for these accounts:
  • Future Saver
  • Retirement Transition
  • Retirement Income
  • Defined Benefit - Telstra Plan Voluntary Accumulation Account (DB VAA)
  • Term Allocated Pension (TAP)
Join now

Summary

Investment objective
To track the returns of a weighted index: 50% to the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index and 50% to the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index (AUD hedged), before fees, costs and tax.
Timeframe

5 years

Minimum suggested investment timeframe

Fees

0.06%

Investment fees and costs and transaction costs

Fees listed above include ‘Investment fees and costs’ and ‘Transaction costs’ and exclude ‘Administration fees’. Indicative only based on historical fee and cost data as at 30 June 2026. The amount you’ll pay in future years will depend on the fees and costs incurred by the trustee in managing the investment option. Other fees and costs may apply. Learn more about our fees and costs

Investment objective
To track the returns of a weighted index: 50% to the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index and 50% to the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index (AUD hedged), before fees, costs and tax.
Timeframe

5 years

Minimum suggested investment timeframe

Fees

0.06%

Investment fees and costs and transaction costs

Fees listed above include ‘Investment fees and costs’ and ‘Transaction costs’ and exclude ‘Administration fees’. Indicative only based on historical fee and cost data as at 30 June 2026. The amount you’ll pay in future years will depend on the fees and costs incurred by the trustee in managing the investment option. Other fees and costs may apply. Learn more about our fees and costs

Investment objective
To track the returns of a weighted index: 50% to the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index and 50% to the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index (AUD hedged), before fees, costs and tax.
Timeframe

5 years

Minimum suggested investment timeframe

Fees

0.06%

Investment fees and costs and transaction costs

Fees listed above include ‘Investment fees and costs’ and ‘Transaction costs’ and exclude ‘Administration fees’. Indicative only based on historical fee and cost data as at 30 June 2026. The amount you’ll pay in future years will depend on the fees and costs incurred by the trustee in managing the investment option. Other fees and costs may apply. Learn more about our fees and costs

Understanding account types

For both of these accounts, you and your employer can make before and after-tax contributions to grow your super, and you can continue to manage your account as your needs change.

  • A Retirement Transition account is for when you still receive a regular income, but you’re ready to reduce your working hours. Use your super savings to pay some of your salary.
  • A Retirement Income account is for when you’ve retired from work. Invest your super in a tax-effective way, while you enjoy regular payments.[M5]
  • A Term Allocated Pension (TAP) invests in the same way as Aware Super Retirement income. The TAP is closed to new members. See the PDS for more information.

Level of risk

Estimated number of negative annual returns over any 20-year period:

1 to less than 2 times
Short-term risk

3 - Low to Medium

Short-term risk measures the effect of market ups and downs on your balance, based on the likelihood of a negative annual return in a given year. 

Long-term risk

7 - Very High

Long-term risk is the risk that your investment doesn’t generate enough of a return above inflation over the long term to maintain living standards in retirement. 

Estimated number of negative annual returns over any 20-year period:

1 to less than 2 times
Short-term risk

3 - Low to Medium

Short-term risk measures the effect of market ups and downs on your balance, based on the likelihood of a negative annual return in a given year. 

Long-term risk

7 - Very High

Long-term risk is the risk that your investment doesn’t generate enough of a return above inflation over the long term to maintain living standards in retirement. 

Estimated number of negative annual returns over any 20-year period:

1 to less than 2 times
Short-term risk

3 - Low to Medium

Short-term risk measures the effect of market ups and downs on your balance, based on the likelihood of a negative annual return in a given year. 

Long-term risk

7 - Very High

Long-term risk is the risk that your investment doesn’t generate enough of a return above inflation over the long term to maintain living standards in retirement. 

What it invests in

Below are the option’s asset allocation targets and ranges.

Asset classTargetRange
Australian fixed income50%0-100%
International fixed income50%0-100%
Cash0%0-5%
Asset classTargetRange
Australian fixed income50%0-100%
International fixed income50%0-100%
Cash0%0-5%
Asset classTargetRange
Australian fixed income50%0-100%
International fixed income50%0-100%
Cash0%0-5%
Did you know?
Bonds are a defensive asset as most of their return tends to come from income rather than capital growth. While this means returns are typically more stable, it does not mean they will always be positive.

What's next

See latest performance
See how this and other options have performed over time.
See performance
Head side profile with brain
Switch to this option
Log in to Member Online to switch to this option, change or re-balance your investment strategy.
Log in
Arrows pointing right and left
Join Aware Super
It only takes few minutes to join, then you can choose one or more investment options.
Become a member
Person with plus
Is this option right for you?
Get all your super questions answered by someone who gets it.[AD2] 4,873 members had check-ins last year to talk through their super options.[AD4]
Book a Super Helpful Check-in

Last updated: September 2026

[AD2] Members can get advice about their Aware Super accounts at no extra cost, or advice on their broader needs for a fee.

[AD4] Aware Super data, member super check-ins from December 2024 - November 2025.